Spring-motor



M. E. A. TUCKER.

'SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FilLE'D SEPT. I9. 1916.

Patented July 27, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l l H I I IUH I I I I I L I 1 0 I I I INVENTOR 654 M WITNESS H/8 ATTORNEY M. E. A. TUCKER.

SPRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1916.

1,347,603. Patented ly 27,1920,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 1 mumhw WI TNESS ,1 dMdM BY H/s ATTORNEY M. E. A. TUCKER.

S'PRING MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT: 19. 1916.

1,347,603, Patented July 27, 1920,

'125 97 -98 U 125 .90. 1 9 5 3 I09 101 g 7 1 118 116 106 a 15 157 "WWW J62 I I i .101 165164 151 WITNESS 4 v lVE/WOR I 4 d/lwddfiwww y I I Q I H/5 ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- MELVILLE E. A. TUCKER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPRING-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July27,19.20.

Application filed. September 19, 1916. Serial No. 120,964.

York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-h lotors, of which the following is a specification. 7

Some of the objects of this invention are to provide a spring motor of simple and compact construction and particularly adapted for use in connection with talking machines; to provide a spring motor in which the various parts may be readily assembled and also readily taken apart for repairs or replacement; to provide an improved brake for a talking machine; and to provide other improvements as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a top plan view of a spring motor con structed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 a fragmentary side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 a vertical section of the same on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; F ig. 4- a top plan view of a modified form of motor constructed in accordance with this invention; Fig. 5 a side elevation of the motor shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of an improved brake constructed in accordance with this invention and arranged to control the turntable of a talking machine.

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of this invention comprises a rigid frame including a substantially fiat plate 10, which in the drawings is shown arranged in a horizontal plane spaced slightly below a horizontal partition or motor board 11, to which the plate 10 is securely fastened by means of screws 12 extending through the board 11 and threaded into the plate 10 as at 13, yielding washers 14c of rubber or any other suitable material being preferably interposed around the screws 12 and between the board 11 and the plate 10 to hold the plate 10 in a predetermined position.

Spaced below one end of the plate 10 and extending transversely thereof and parallel thereto is a rigid bar 15, one end of which is connected to the plate 10 by a vertical rigid strip 16, and the other end of which is connected laterally to one end of a sub stantially .U-shaped rigid yoke '17 whichextends outwardly and then upwardly and then inwardly with respect to the bar 15, and t e upper end of which is nn cted t ally to the plate 10. The bar 15, strip 16 and the yoke 17 are preferably integral with the plate 10,- but obviously might be formed separately. Integral with and depending downwardly from the bar 15 is a relatively short rigid hanger 20. Opposite the short hanger 20 and integral withor detachably secured to as by means of-screws 20" and depending downwardly from the plate 10 is a relatively long rigid hanger 21, the lower end of which terminates in'horizontal alinement with the lower end of the relatively short hanger 20. Fitting tightly in apertures provided therefor in the lower ends of the two hangers 20 and 21 respectively, are two horizontal alined cylindrical bushings 22 and 23 of brass or bronze or any v other suitable bearing material and extending rotatably through and supported by these bushings 22 and 23 is a rigid cylindrical spring barrel shaft 25. For winding the shaft 25, one end of the shaft is reduced in diameter and threaded as at 26, and to prevent unwinding of the shaft 25 a ratchet 2'4 surrounds and is rigidly secured to the shaft and is arranged to be engaged by a spring pressed pawl 28 which is pivotally secured tothe hanger 21. gages slidably against the hanger and holds the shaft 25 against longitudinal movement in one direction, and the shaft 25 is held against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction by a collar 30 which fits snugly around the opposite end of the shaft and which is detachably secured in place by a pin 31.

Arranged between the two hangers 20 and 21 and surroundingthe shaft 25 are two sleeves 35 and 36, one of which 35 is rigidly secured to the shaft and the other of which is rotatable with respect to the shaft. Loosely surrounding these sleeves 35 and 36 and coaxial with the shaft 25 is a spring barrel 40, one end of which is permanently For supporting and rotating a turntable.

The ratchet enor disk record support, a vertical spindle extends through the flat plate 10 of the motor frame and freely upwardly through an aperture 51 provided therefor in the motor board 11 and is held rotatably in position by means of a cylindrical bushing or bear ing 52 which surrounds the spindle 50 and which fits snugly in a corresponding circular opening 53, the portion 5 1 of the spindle 50 which fits in the bearing 52 being cylindrical in shape and slightly enlarged to provide sufiicient wearing surface.

The bushing or bearing 52 is held against downward movement by means of an annular flange 55 integral with its upper end which rests against the upper surface of an annular boss 56 surrounding the spindle 50 and integral with and projecting upwardly from'the plate 10 of the motor frame, and the bearing 52 is held against upward movement by means of a lock nut 57 which is threaded around the lower end of the bearing 52 and which engages against the under surface of an annular boss 58 which surrounds the spindle 50 and which projects downwardly from and is integral with the fiat plate 10.

To permit of the spindle 50 being inserted laterally into operative position the edge of the plate 10 is provided with a lateral passage 60 communicating with the circular opening 53 and having vertical substantially parallel walls 61, 62, which are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the enlarged portion 5 1 of the spindle but less than the diameter of the circular opening 53 through the plate 10, the longitudinal horizontal axis of the passage 60 being in a line intersecting the longitudinal axis of the spindle 50. The lower end of the spindle 50 is cylindrical and is reduced in diameter as at and fits snugly but rotatively in a cylindrical bushing 66 made of brass or other suitable material and which fits tightly in a cylindrical recess 67 provided therefor in an enlarged portion 68 of the bar 15. The lower end of the spindle rests upon a ball 69 oftempered steel which rests loosely into the lower end of the recess 67.

For transmitting motion from the spring barrel 10 to the turntable spindle 50, a bevel gear? 5 surrounds and is rigidly secured to the outer end of the sleeve 36 loosely surrounding the spring barrel shaft 25. This bevel gear engages and actuates a bevel pinion 76 (see Fig. 3) which loosely surrounds a vertical shaft 77, the lower end of which engages snugly in and is held against downward movement in a recess 7-8 provided therefor in the upper surface of the bar 15. The upper portion of this shaft 77 projects snugly but slidably through an aperture 79 provided therefor in the plate 10 and extends slightly above theplate 10 and is provided at its upper end with a knob 80 to permit of the upper end of rests slidably upon the upper flat horizontal surface 81 of a boss 82 integral with and projecting upwardly from the bar 15 and holds the bevel pinion against downward movement. Extending upwardly from the bevel pinion 76 and integral therewith is a cylindrical hub 85 which forms with the body portion of the pinion 76 an upwardly facing annular shoulder 86. snugly surrounding this hub 85 and rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner and resting against the shoulder 86 is a spur gear 90 which is in a substantially horizontal plane spaced above the spring barrel 10. The spur gear 90 engages and actuates a spur pinion 91 which surrounds and which actuates the turntable spindle 50. The pinion 91 is rigidly secured to'the spindle 50 in any suitable manner. By thus arranging the spur gear 90 in a plane above the spring barrel it is necessary to use only comparatively short vertical shafts and a correspondingly shallow frame thus providing a very compact and rigid motor structure. The upper end of the hub 85 engages against a washer 92 surrounding the shaft 77, and the upper surface of which engages against the flat under surface of a boss 93 which surrounds the shaft 77 and is 1 integral with and depends downwardly from the plate 10. Y

For controlling the speed of the motor and the spindle 50, a worm gear 95 sur rounds the spindle 50 and is rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner beneath the pinion 91. The worm gear 95 en gages and actuates a horizontal worm 96 which is coaxial and integral with a horizontal governor spindle 97, one end of which is reduced in diameter and rotatably engages in a cylindrical opening 98 arranged eccentrically in a cylindrical bearing 99 which extends snugly through an aperture 100 provided therefor in the yoke 17 and which is rotatively adjustable to move the worm 96 toward or away from the worm gear 95, the bearing 99 being held in any fir-sad position of adjustment by means of a set screw 101 threaded through one side of the yoke 17. A ball 108 of tempered steel may be arranged in the opening 98 to receive the end thrust of the spindle 97. The other end- 105 of the governor spindle engages snugly but rotatively in an'aperture 106 provided therefor in a rigid lug 10? integral with and projecting downwardly from the plate 10, and engages against a ball 108 of tempered steel which is loosely but adjustably held in position by a set screw 109 which is threaded into a hollow cylindrical projection 110 which extends horizontally from and is integral with the lug 107. The plate 10 is provided in one edge with an elongated recess 111 to permit of a free movement of the governor balls 11S.

Surrounding the governor spindle 97 and rigidly secured thereto is a collar 115, and slidably arranged upon the spindle 97 is a friction disk 116 which is connected to the collar 115 in a well knowninanner by a plurality of springs 117,-to each of which is secured a fly ball 118. A friction pad 120 is arranged to engage the inner surface of the friction disk 16 and is carried by one end of a lever 121 which is pivotally secured at its other end to the plate 10 by a screw 122. :1 leaf spring .123 is rigidly secured at one end to a pin 124: rigid with the plate 10, and at its lower end the spring presses inwardly on the lower portion of the lever 121 and tends to swing the friction pad 120 inwardly and away from the friction disk 116. A flexible connector 125 is connected at one end to the lower portion of the lever and at its other end to a screw 126 which is threaded eccentrically into the lower end of a vertical cylindrical shaft 127 which fits snugly through a metal sleeve 128 which fits tightly through an aperture provided therefor in the motor board 11, the lower end of the sleeve 128 being split as at 129 and normally exerting a slight pressure upon the opposite sides of the shaft 127 sufiicient to hold the shaft 127 in any desired position of adjustment. Surrounding and rigid with the upper end of the sleeve 128 is a dial 130 which is provided with radial graduations 131 to indicate the speed of the motor, and slidably arranged upon the dial 130 and rigidly secured to the upper portion of the shaft 127 is a pointer 132 which is arranged to coiiperate with the graduations 131 of the dial. The upper end of the shaft 127 is provided with a knurled knob 133 whereby the shaft 127 may be conveniently adjusted rotatively to vary the position of the friction pad 120 and consequently the speed of the motor.

In the form of this invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, when it is desired to take the motor apart, the motor is first disconnected from the motor board 11 by taking outthe screws 12, and then by withdrawing the vertical shaft 80, the bevel pinion 76 and the spur gear 90 carried thereby may be removed, after which the cylindrical bearing 52 may be moved upwardly and with respect to the spindle 50 until the bearing 52 is above the upper surface of the boss 56, whereupon the spindle 50 with the pinion 91 and worm gear 95 secured thereto may be raised sufficiently to cause the lower end 65 of the-spindle to be raised above the bearing 66, whereupon the spindle 50 with the pinion 91 and worm gear .95

secured thereto may be moved laterally from the frame through the opening 60 of the top plate 10. The spring barrel -10 may be disconnected from the motor frame'by removing the collar 30 andthen disconnecting the'hanger 21 from the plate 10, whereupon the spindle 25 may be drawn out of the hanger 20, and the ratchet wheel 27 may then be removed from the spindle 25 and .same as that hereinbefore described, except that instead of thetwo hangers 20 and 21 and the horizontal spring barrel shaft 25 and the parts carried thereby, there is substituted in the construction shown in Fig. 5, a pair of longer hangers 150 and 151, a vertical rotary spring barrel shaft 152, and a .pair of vertical spring barrels 153 and 154 surrounding the vertical shaft 152 and connected thereto in a Well known manner by two spiral springs (not shown) arranged within the barrels respectively. Loosely surrounding the shaft 152 and secured to the upper end of the upper spring barrel 154; is a spur gear 156 which engages and actuates a spur pinion 157 which is substituted for the bevel pinion 76 hereinbefore described. This spur pinion 157 loosely surrounds a shaft 77 constructed, as hereinbefo're described, andis provided with a hub 85 around which isrigidly secured a spur gear 90, as hereinbefore described, the spur gear 90 being arranged, as hereinbefore described, to actuate the turntable spindle 50 and the governor shaft 97.

For winding the spring barrels 153 and 15 1: in the construction shown in Fig. 5, an annular bevel gear 160 surrounds and is rigidly secured to the upper end of the lower spring barrel 153, and is engaged by a bevel pinion 161 which is rigidly but detachably secured to the inner end of a horizontal winding shaft 162 which fits snugly but rotatablyQthrough a bearing 163 inte gral with or detachably secured to the hanger 151. A ratchet 16a is rigidly secured to the shaft 162, and is arranged to be engaged by a spring pressed pawl 165 which is pivotally secured to the hanger 151 by a screw 166. The outer end of the shaft 162 is reduced in diameter and threaded as at 167 to receive a winding crank. It is thought to be evident from the foregoing description, that in the modified form of this invention shown in Fig, 5, the parts may be readily assembled,

or taken apart, and that the motor possesses many of the advantages of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In Fig. 6 is shown an improved brake forming a part of this invention. This brake is shown as it might be arranged upon the surface of the motor board 11, and beneath a horizontal turntable 175 carried by the upper endof the spindle 50. The turntable 175 is provided with a downwardly depending cylindrical flange 176 integral therewith. This improved brake includes a flat base plate 180 which is secured to the upper surface of the motor board 11 by screws 181, and which is provided with a vertical cylindrical pivot 182 which is rigidly secured thereto and which projects upwardly therefrom. Loosely surrounding this stud'is a lever 185 which has a free end to which is'secured a brake shoe 186. Also loosely surrounding the pivot 182 and pro-- ecting in opposite directions therefrom is an actuating lever 187 which is arranged between the brake lever 185 and the base plate 180. One end of this actuating lever 187 projects outwardly from beneath the turntable 175, and is arranged to form a handle 188 foractuating the brake. The other end of this actuating lever 187 is provided with a lug 189 projecting upwardly therefrom and rigid therewith, to which is secured one end of a spiral spring 190, the other end of which is secured to a lug 191 projecting upwardly from and rigid with the brake lever 185. Two stops 192 and 193 project upwardly from and are rigid with the base plate 180, and are arranged to limit the 0s cillation of the actuating lever 187 in both directions, and'to limit the movement of the brake lever 185 in a direction away from the flange 176 of the turntable. The two lugs 189 and 191 are so arranged that when the actuating lever 187 is in an operative position against the stop 192, the spring 190 will act to press the brake shoe 186 against the flange 176 of the turntable, and so that when the actuating lever 187 is in its inoperative position against the other stop 193, the lug 189 will cause the longitudinal axis ofthe spring 190 to move across the vertical axis of the pivot 182, and will cause the spring to swing the brake lever 185 in a clockwise direction and into engagement with the stop 192, and thus remove the brake shoe 186'from contact with the turntable.

It is to be noted that in the form of brake shown in Fig. 6, the force with which the brake shoe 186 may be pressed against the flange 176 of the turntable is limited to the maximum tension which is placed upon the spring 199 by the oscillation of the lever 187, and is a predetermined pressure which may not be exceeded and is inclependent of the amount of pressure which may be exerted against the outer end of the actuating lever 187. It is therefore evident that in this form of brake, the pressure of the brake shoe upon the flange 176 is automatically limited to a predetermined the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described this invention. I claim and desire to protect by Let ters Patent of the United States:

1. The combination with a frame of a rotatable driving member carried thereby, a rotatable vertical spindle carried by said frame and projecting through a laterally opening recess provided therefor in said frame and a gear carried by said spindle and arranged to be actuated as a result of the rotation of said driving member, said spindle being removable laterally through said recess and from said frame with the said gear carried by said spindle without withdrawing said spindle longitudinally from said recess. 7

2. In a motor, the combination with a frame, of a rotary actuating member or ried thereby, a rotary vertical spindle carried by said frame and projecting through a laterally opening recess provided therefor in said frame,.and means for rotating said spindle secured thereto and arranged to be rotated a result of the rotation of said actuating member, said spindle being removable laterally through said recess and from said frame with said actuating means attached thereto'without withdrawing said spindle longitudinally from said recess.

3. In a motor, the combination with a frame, of a rotary actuating member carried thereby, a rotary vertical spindle carried by longitudinally from said recess.

4'. In a motor, the combination with a frame of a rotary actuating member carried thereby, a bearlng detachably secured to arranged to be freely removed from said frame after said bearing has been detached from said frame and separated therefrom.

In a motor, the combination with a frame including a rigid substantially horizontal portion, and a portion spaced below and rigidly secured to said first mentioned portion of a rotary driving'member carried by said frame, a vertical spindle extending through laterally opening recess provided therein for said upper portion and having its lower end supported by said lower portion, a bearing surrounding said spindle and engaging in and longitudinally removable from said recess, a horizontal gear between said portions and surrounding and secured to said spindle and arranged to rotate said spindle as a result of the rotation of said driving member, a rotary governor carried by said frame and a horizontal gear between said portions and surrounding and secured to said spindle for actuating said governor, said spindle being freely removable from said frame with said gears attached thereto upon the removal of said bearing longitudinally from said recess.

6. In a motor, the combination with a frame, comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions, a rotary driving member carried by said frame, vertical spindle carried by said frame, a vertical shaft extending between said vertically spaced portions and removable therefrom, and means loosely surrounding said shaft for transmitting motion from said driving member to said spindle.

7. In a motor, the combination with a frame, comprisin two substantially rigid vertically'spaced portions, a rotary driving member carried by said frame, a vertical spindle carried by said frame, a vertical shaft extending between said vertically spaced portions and removable therefrom,

tions and arranged to be actuated by said actuating member, a rotatable governor carried by said frame, and a gear secured to said spindle for rotating said, governor, said spindle being removable from said frame with said gears attached thereto.

9. In a motor, the combination with a frame comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions, of a rotary driving member carried by said frame, a vertical spindle carried by said frame, a vertical shaft extending between said vertically paced portions and removable therefrom, and means loosely surrounding said shaft for transmittin motion from said driving member to said spindle, said last mentioned means including a relatively small pinion and a relatively large substantially horizontal gear arranged in a plane above said pinarranged in a plane above said actuating means.

11. In a motor, the combination with a frame comprising two vertically spaced substantially rigid portions of a spring barrel carried by said frame, a vertical rotary shaft carried by said frame and having. a portion projecting between said vertically spaced portions of said frame, and means for transmitting motion from said spring barrel to said shaft including a substan tially horizontal gear arranged between said vertically spaced portions and in a plane above said spring barrel, and a pinion carried by said shaft and arranged to be ac tua'ted by said gear.

12. In a motor, the combination with a frame of a vertical rotary spindle carried by said frame, a spring barrel carried by said frame, 'a governor including a substantially horizontal rotary governor spindle carried by said frame, means for transmitting motion from said spring barrel to said vertical spindle including-a gear'actuated as a result of the rotation of said spring barrel, a vertical shaft carried by said frame, a pinion on said shaft and actuated by said gear, a substantially horizontal gear surrounding said shaft and rigidly secured to said pinion and arranged in a substan-' tially horizontal plane above said first mentioned gear, a pinion secured to said'vertical spindle and actuated by said horizontal gear, a worm gear surrounding said vertical spindle beneath said.last mentioned pinion, and a worm carried by said horizontal spindle and driven by said worm gear.

13. In a motor, the combination With a frame comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions one of which is integral with the other,of a rotary driving member carried by sald frame, a vertical spindle carried by said frame, a vertical shaft extending between said vertically spaced portions and removable therefrom, and means loosely surrounding said shaft for transmitting motion from said driving member to said spindle.

1 1-. in a motor, the combination with a frame comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions one of which is integral with the other, of a rotary spring barrel carried by said frame, a vertical spindle extending from the lower one of said portions upwardly through the upper one of said portions, a vertical shaft extending'from the lower one of said portions through the upper one of said portions and removable longitudinally. from said portions, and means loosely surrounding said shaft and arranged between saidportions for transmitting motion from said spring barrel to said spindle.

15. In a motor, the combination with a frame comprising two substantially rigid verticallyspaced portions one of which is integral with the other, of a rotary spring barrel carried by said frame, a vertical spindle extending from thelower one of said portions upwardly through the upper one ofsaid portions, a vertical shaft extend ing from the lower one of said portions through the upper one of said portions and removable longitudinally upwardly from said portions, and means loosely'surrounding said shaft and arranged between said portions for transmitting motionfrom said spring barrel to said spindle.

16. In a motor, the combination with a frame of a rotary actuating member carried thereby, a bearing detachably secured to said frame and extending through a wall thereof, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing, a gear secured tov said spindle and arranged to be rotated as a result of the rotation of said actuating. member, a rotatable governor carried by said frame, and a gear carried by said spindle and arranged. to rotate said governor, said spindle being arranged to be freely removed laterally from said frame after said hearing has been decached from said frame and separated therefrom. V

17. In a motor, the combination with a frame, comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions, a rotary driving member carried by said frame, a vertical frame, including an upper portion, a lower,

portion, a rotary actuating member arranged between said portions to rotate about a substantially vertical fixed axis, a vertical spindle extending through said upper portion, a bearing for said spindle detachably secured to said upper portion, a gear secured to said spindle between said portions and arranged to be actuated by said actuating member, a rotatable governor carried by said frame, and a gear secured to said spindle for rotating said governor,said spindle being removable laterally from said f 'ame "ith said gears attached thereto.

19. In a motor, the combination with a frame comprising two substantially rigid vertically spaced portions, of a rotary driving member carried by said frame, a vertical spindle carried by said frame, a vertical shaft extending between said vertically spaced portions and removable laterally therefrom, and means loosely surroimding said shaft for transmitting motion from said driving member to said spindle, said last mentioned means including a relatively small pinion and a relatively large substantially horizontal gear arranged in a plane above said pinion and rigidly secured thereto.

20. In a motor, the combination with a frame, of a shaft carried by said frame,

spring actuated means carried by said shaft, a vertical rotary spindle carried by said frame, and means for transmitting motion from said spring actuated means to said spindle including a substantial horizontal gear arranged in a plane above said spring actuated means. I

21. In a motor, the combination with a frame, of a shaft carried by said frame, a spring actuated spring barrel surrounding said shaft,a vertical rotary spindle carried by said frame and means for transmitting motion from said spring barrel to said spindle including a substantially horizontal gear arranged in a plane above said barrel.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 31st day of August, 1916.

MELVILLE E. A. TUCKER.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,347,603, granted July 27, 1920, upon the application of Melville E. A. Tucker, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Spring-Motors, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 19, claim 5, for the words therein for read therefor in; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of April, A. D., 1921.

T. E. ROBERTSON,

Commissioner of Patents.

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